Sturridge made his first league start since October yesterday in Liverpool’s 6-0 trouncing of Aston Villa.

The injury prone England striker grabbed the opening goal in the rout - his first in the league since September.

But team-mate Jordan Henderson claims Sturridge has been deeply affected by the constant criticism and suspicion surrounding his lengthy injury record.

“I’ve know Studge for years and I am quite close to him,’ said Henderson.

“I have been with him a lot while he has been out.

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“He doesn’t want to be injured. He is more annoyed than anyone that he isn’t playing”

Jordan Henderson

“You have to understand he has been more frustrated than anyone. A lot gets said about him outside of our group.

“I know it hurts him and I know it is hard for him to take.

“He doesn’t want to be injured. He is more annoyed than anyone that he isn’t playing.”

Henderson admits even he had almost forgotten just how good Sturridge can be.

Now he must convince Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and England boss Roy Hodgson that his days of being constantly injured are behind him for good.

“Now he is back, he has got a smile on his face again and he has been world class,” said Henderson.

“He definitely gives us that fear factor back. Any central defender playing against him will be wary.

“They know how quick he is, how sharp he is with the ball. He can cause anyone problems and I’m sure any centre-half in the world would be worried about coming up against him.”

Henderson said some of the Liverpool squad who haven’t seen a lot of Sturridge in action have now had their eyes opened.

He added: “Because he has been out for a while, you do forget the quality he has got and how good he actually is.

“There are lads in training who maybe haven’t seen that much of him and they have been very impressed.

“When he is firing, he has got everything. He gets one chance and scores. His biggest problem is getting a run of games, finding consistency and just staying fit. That is the only issue. If he stays fit, he becomes world class.”